Top Ten Italian Travel Tips (Click +)
1. Make a copy of your passport and drivers license. [+]
Imagine the hassle of replacing your passport or drivers license in a foreign country. Get it?
There is no reason for you to be wandering around Italy with your passport. A copy will do if the need arises. And it never does. Obviously it is essential for the air and hotel part of your visit. So when you check into your hotel, have them keep your passport safe in the safe. You can use the room safe as well.
Any valid drivers license is accepted when renting a car. Although the AAA program of procuring an international drivers license is a good idea, it is absolutely no necessary in Italy.
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
2. Travel light. Italy is casual. [+]
These days, people like to avoid checking luggage. And with the great Italian reputation for loosing your bags, why not?
Plus, you will shop and buy and want to lug back all those goodies, especially oil and wine. So come over lean and mean. Then check the stable of acquired stuff for the return.
Of course the security evolution makes liquids a hassle either way. So split the difference. Check 1 bag with all the "issue" materials. Carry on your documents, permitted travel size toiletries and a casual change of clothes.
A good pair of walking shoes and sandals (or all-in-one) is all you need. Even the restrictions at some churches (shoulders and knees covered) does not stop women from dawning comfy summer sun dresses and carrying a simple scarf. And guys, those below-the-knees cargo shorts and the like will do just fine. Just make sure you wear the simple cotton white T shirt and not the tank top.
3. Stay in touch with your cell phone. [+]
There are a variety of ways to use your phone, rent an Italian phone and on and on and on. With all the gizmo's out there, it is simple to find the most effective and economical solution. Most people keep their own cell number an have their supplier provide the appropriate cyber shaking and baking. Be thorough, cautious and insist on guarantees. For all of those who succeed in (what should be) a simple adaptive measure, there are those who chuck their phones in the Trevi Fountain out of shear frustration. Country code for Italy is +39 (0039). From outside Europe you call 011 +39 then the number. Calling North America from in Europe, it's 001.
Once you run this gauntlet, you will be glad that you stayed connected for emergencies, impromptu chats back home or calls to-and-from your drivers, hotel staff and/or guides.
4. ATM, Bancomat and Those Automatic Tellers. [+]
The best rate of exchange in Italy can be procured from the ATM (Bancomat in Italy).
You do not want to exchange foreign currency for Euro. The exchange places are in the business of making money providing this service and will clobber you. Plus, why are you bringing foreign currency to Italy any way? 400 million Europeans use the Euro and it is a strong and stable friend to you.
Check with your bank and your credit card suppliers. You can draw cash off your cards as well in case of emergencies. But, most people avoid the commission blues by simply going to the Bancomat every other day to draw what they need.
By all means, use your credit card whenever possible. Again, you get the best rate of exchange and can save those precious Euro. Go to www.xe.com for the latest rates of exchange.
Note: Carry small bills (5, 10 and 20) and those useful 2 Euro coins. Great for tips. By the way, No one ever has change!
5. No more than 100 Euro cash when you board the plane to Italy. [+]
Imagine the hassle of replacing your passport or drivers license in a foreign country. Get it?
6. Two credit cards on the trip. Leave the rest at home. Same goes for jewelry and watches[+]
Bring along your favorite credit card or two. Leave the rest. And why bother with the classey jewelry and expensive watches? Leave them too. The unlikely "lost and stolen" possibility is hereby diluted.
7. Learn basic Italian words and phrases to show respect to your hosts.[+]
Repeat after me, "Me a skooo zee. Par lay in glay zee"? Or just say it in English. "Excuse me, do you speak English". Most people do but it is incredibly rude to blast into a store and yelp, "How Much is this? Do you take Dollars?" Be polite. They are doing you a favor by speaking your langauge.
8. Be patient, persistent and polite. You are in another country and another culture. [+]
Be Patient, Persistent and Polite: the 3 P's. Italy has it's own rythym. And the further south you go, the slower it gets. But don't accept the first explanation or bit of advice. Ask around. There are usually many helpful people ready to assist you and may get the answer you are looking for just by shopping the question. And you get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar, so smile. They do.
9. Let your hosts feed you their way. You can get ketchup, ice and butter when you go home. [+]
Piatto del Giorno. The plate of the day. Let the waiter feed you. No menu, no wine list, no substitutions (unless there are diet or allergy issues of course). Vivo della casa. The house wine. Rosso, red. Bianco, white. And find the little trattorias with no name on the door. Look for the line of locals. Note: There is no such thing as Italian Food. Roman Cuisine, Tuscan Cuisine, Sicilian Cuisine...you get the idea. The chicken does not come with a side of pasta. the pasta is the primo (1st course). The meat, chicken or fish is the secondo (2nd course). And the dolce is dessert. Don't forget your shot of limoncello as the digetivo to finsh the experience.
10. Pick pockets are prolific, not dangerous. Be vigilant. Have your "back-ups" in place. [+]
Wearing a bunch of logos? Have an obvious fanny pack? Stumbling around with a map and a camera dangling off you? Speaking loudly in a foreign language? Then don't complain when you get picked. The pick pickets are prolific professionals. They are well-dressed, blend in and know that there are great opportunities at the train stations and major tourist sites. Blend, be diligent and avoid crowds. There are plenty of weak antelope for the thieving lions. You don't have to be one of them.